HEARTBEAT : OUTREACH & SOCIAL CONCERNS
39
Spreading God’s Love To The Community By Henry Auw
When it comes to reaching out to the community, Faith members are no strangers to being actively involved. Each year, several Small Groups (SGs) gather with the sole purpose of being a blessing to the residents within the vicinity of the church.
Q A
We also participated in a meaningful one-year project known as “Channel of Blessings”. Through this project, we adopted a few needy families in the community, and have been journeying with them ever since.
Q A
One such SG is Jedidiah, which adopted Block 60 under the Adopt-A-Block (AAB) campaign in 2008 and have been serving the residents there ever since. Faithlink finds out more about their involvement.
Q A
Why and how did Jedidiah get involved in AAB? In response to The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-19, we took up the challenge to be a testimony of God’s love to all who need care and attention. Besides, we all felt that this was a mission which could be sustained by our SG on a long-term basis. We adopted Block 60 and we have been serving this same block ever since.
What do the members do during these outreach sessions? We visit Block 60 about two to three times a year. During these visits, we take the opportunity to befriend residents who respond positively to us, and invite them to church events.
What are some challenges you face? Some residents do not welcome our visitation, as they know that we are Christians. As most of those we befriend are pre-believers, we need to learn to wait on the Lord to open the door for us to share the Gospel at the right time.
Q A
We even keep in contact with those we have befriended outside of the formal AAB visitations, through monthly personal visits, care calling and periodic meals. In recent years, our SG has also organised festive gatherings at our church for the residents and their relatives and friends along. We take the opportunity to share our personal testimonies with them.
Share some positive testimonies and how the residents and members have been blessed. Some of these residents have come to know and accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. They have either started to attend church, or else have begun their own spiritual journey with God in regular prayer. It is very encouraging for us to witness how God works in their lives, and to be a part of a ministry that brings good news to those who have not heard. We will persist in sowing the seeds because we know the harvest will come at the Lord’s timing.
FAITHLINK . JULY 2018
